The only purpose of the game is to enjoy playing. Not to 'beat' the other players or 'elevate' oneself above anyone else. If that's the sort of experience prospective players are looking for, we suggest they try another game, perhaps of the MMORPG variety.

We really don't want to set 'deadlines' for characters to post before they get ousted/replaced, but we will in certain cases as per CD, and as outlined herein. Players are not required to post if their character isn't 'doing anything'. However, claiming characters and then not doing anything with them defeats the purpose of actually being in a game, so some activity on the part of the Player should occur, rather than just having their Character sit around and/or stare into space. Generally speaking, after more than sixty days of inactivity, your Character will be made 'open' for someone else to apply for play. Extensively idle Original Characters will be 'phased out' in accordance with Player Conduct Section 2, Subsection D.

Players are allowed to involve their Cs romantically, though it is not required. There are a few minor restrictions on this, as follows:

1. No OTPs (One True Pairings): Yes, we know all about Jean and Scott and Rogue and Gambit and all the other canon romantic liaisons in the Marvel Universe. However, the Players are under no onus to continue these pairings if they'd rather not. What this means is that if one player has one 'side' of a canon pairing, the person playing the C that is the other half of that relationship is not 'supposed' to be in love with that C unless they choose to be.

2. 'New' Romantic Involvements: Are up to the character's playing. CD is not disallowing abrupt changes in one's orientation and/or tastes as described in canon, as the trauma inherent to war could cause any number of reactions by those involved. It's not untoward to expect that certain bonds be forged/broken/strengthened/taken to the next stage or a combination of all these things. Any other romantic involvements, such as between two original characters, are permissible provided they don't violate any of the other rules.

3. Solo Shipping - Playing two different characters for the purpose of 'making them a couple' is not how we get Players interacting. If any Player wants to make A/B a couple, we have no problem with it - provided they do so in a fanfic outside of the Game.

4. Keep it LEGAL: Yes, Apocalypse's society is based around the strong taking what they want, when they want it. But WE draw the line at non-consentual. This includes coercion into sexual relations by threat, violence, psionics, pheromones, and intoxicants. Those things can still be used to make a C act in manners outside of their will - such as betraying a friend or stealing a secret document - but may NOT be used to take them to bed against the will of another Player. We do allow IC liaisons of the forcible nature, however, provided both the players involved consent and both notify the Staff prior.

   Further, we are well aware that many instances of sexual activity by those under the age of 18 occur in reality. If it occurs in the room, however, the perpetrator/s are immediately banned. (qv: IMC TOS).

5. No Cybersex: This is a rule of IMC already, but it bears repeating. Flirty/suggestive play is not disallowed if that's the CIQ's personality, but we require some restraint as to what is and isn't appropriate. Sexually explicit roleplay is not allowed in the room, in a Private Room, or on the forum. Yes, this is a mature room - which means we expect a certain level of maturity from the players. If Players absolutely MUST have some sort of intimate moment between their Cs, they should take it to some instant messaging deal - and leave it there.

Players may have other characters they interact with 'speak' and 'move' in a running scene with the following restrictions:

1. The CIQ actually has to already be present in the scene. This includes getting 'emergency calls' on one's communicator/cellphone from other Cs which are not involved in the current scene. Only the ST may add Cs to a running scene.

2. If a Player run character, permission from this Player - as well as prior notification to the Host/Staff - is given in advance. We won't disallow having someone speak for any scene's character if the Player of that C fine with it, we just want to know that they're fine with it in advance. Chronicles posts done in Chat are permissible, again, provided the Mods know of the collaboration in advance of the posting. Conversely, if a Player is not fine with people speaking for/moving their Character, then they should tell the other Player so when approached for permission to do so. So we're clear, No Means No. Always. If a player speaks for the Character of another Player without their permission, or does so after being told they'd rather they didn't? The Mods have no sense of humor about this kind of thing, and the perpetrator will be ejected.

3. If not scripted through Chat, reactions from Cs/NPCs to what is going on are to be kept as innocuous as possible. Generally, the following basic, non-committal responses (and any synonymous variation of same) from other characters may be used: "I don't understand", "What do you mean/want?", "Do continue...", "I see.", "But that would mean (what it means)", "I'm not sure.", and so forth.

4. Complete changes in a character's motivation or direction are prohibited, especially by proxy. For example, when speaking to Reed Richards, a Player may have him 'respond' to what they are saying provided these responses do not change the will of the Player currently portraying Reed - or if not being played at the time, canon. Generally, that means Janet van Dyne may talk to Reed and he may respond to her so long as it doesn't modify how Reed is being played - and if not being played, how Reed was portrayed in the original comics. So the Player playing Wasp couldn't have Reed suddenly fall in love with her even if he's not being played, since according to canon he already loves Susan Storm.

5. Using characters one does not control, NPC or otherwise, to create some major plot point is not allowed. If the STs feel that someone not being played should introduce a plot/subplot, they will see to it either directly (with canon NPCs) or through Periphery Characters. This goes double for using characters one does not control to inflict violence upon ANY game Characters - including their own. This is not to say that Players cannot develop plots with their Character, we just prefer they do so within these rules. The game has many protagonists, so trying to somehow swing it so that any one Character becomes 'center-stage' will not be acceptable.

6. Players intending to involve each other in their respective work are encouraged to communicate with each other prior to and during these involvements.

Also known as "RetCon". We expect a certain amount of continuity in game, and expect the Players to be aware of the events therein. However, there are times when a player drops a C, leaving their former character wildly departed from how they appear in canon. A Player may 'opt out' of the previous Player's machinations if they feel the previous Player's direction is too restricting, or similarly don't like it. We do require a small bit of in-character explanation prior to 'changing them back', however, in accordance with Section 7, Subsection D below.

For example, Storm is played as a big fan of Muddy Waters. She eventually becomes tired of the whole 'battle for survival' and goes to Europe to become a member of a jazz ensemble and gets involved with one of the other musicians romantically. Then, the player decides that 'real life is being too hectic to keep things going' and drops the C. Should someone decide to pick up Storm thereafter, they can choose to continue the previous player's line as it is, or not.

Therefore, a Player may not move events that cause irrevocable harm or similar permanent changes to their C in order to remove them from play or similarly permanently alter them, including, but not limited to, suicide, disfigurement, pregnancy, marriage and incarceration. These things may happen during the game, but they cannot be put in motion towards those ends by the Player alone. A canon C may wind up getting killed, or scarred, or whatever, but their Player can't do it to them by themselves.

1. Permanent Changes to an OC: If a Player thinks it would be interesting to destroy their original character, it is permissible. This is the only exception to the rules outlayed regarding actions to the permanent modifications of characters in the game, with the proviso that said character can't 'take any/everyone else with them'.

2. Dead is Dead: If a C gets themselves killed, then that particular C will be unavailable for play. Certain Cs are considered 'Bad Penny' types, who have cheated certain death time and again to reappear later - or similarly have safeguards in place for the continuance of their 'legacies' (clones, robot duplicates, etc.). If a Player plans to have their C have such 'backups', it must be cleared with the Staff prior to invocation. Also, if the C uses such methods of 'practical immortality', then they are required to inform the staff as to whether the C's appearance in a scene is 'really' them, or a duplicate. Experience and similar advancements do not count for the CIQ if it's not 'really' them in the scene.

3. Backstory by Proxy: Various Cs will have had some connection to other Cs. However, one is not allowed to set any other C's role or backstory without at least a tertiary connection (such as by blood) to that C. What this means is that even if one is a Team Leader, they cannot 'pick out' the members of their team - even if they choose only NPCs for it. Moreover, one cannot have had their C have had past relations with other Cs which determine those C's backstory, origin, or allegiance.